The Kokeshi Clan

Kokeshi are Japanese dolls, originally from northern Japan. They are handmade from wood, have a simple trunk and an enlarged head with a few thin, painted lines to define the face, no arms or legs.

Artist Craig Galentine mixes Eastern aesthetics (meaning Star Wars and superheroes mostly) and Zen simplicity to create the famous Kokeshi Clan, a series of kick-ass Kokeshi dolls. We get really polished versions of Batman and Robin, Spock and Kirk, Vader and R2D2. The characters are given the refinement and serenity they never had “in life” – Mr. Spock, a possible exception.

Looking at the dolls again, I realize that Vader looks pretty vicious anyway, but at least his hands won’t choke you. They all have identical round heads and oval bodies inherent to Kokeshi dolls, but the personality is still easy to recognize. I’m seriously tempted to place my order and clear a shelf.